Pushers tugs replace cranes and save space

Screen systems maker was moving 6500kg screen boxes around by overhead crane, but has saved factory space by using carrier bogies moved my 'pusher' tugs.

Northern Irish manufacturer of power screens used to move 6500kg screen box assemblies around by overhead crane.

The company, Powerscreen International, has found it can consolidate screen box manufacture, increase productivity and save on factory floor space by using pusher tugs instead.

The Nu-Star Super Pusher at Powerscreen's Dungannon factory now moves the screen box assemblies on carrier bogies in the manufacturing area.

Powerscreen's Lean Manufacturing promotion officer, John McGrane, said: "During the manufacturing process, 6500kg screen box assemblies were manufactured and brought to final assembly using overhead gantry cranes.

By assembling the screen boxes on carrier bogies, overhead cranes were eliminated for transporting screen boxes, and by using a Nu-Star Super Pusher to move the carrier bogies around the manufacturing area, it has been possible to consolidate screen box production.

Powerscreen reported that it had reduced the floor space for screen box assembly by 664m2.

Powerscreen has used the released space to increase production.

The Super Pusher is more manoeuvrable and requires much less aisle way and turning circle space when compared to fork lifts or full sized ride-on tugs.

Its size, price and capability allow it to move the screen boxes through the screen box assembly area and be used outside outside for transport to final assembly.

Powerscreen had previously purchased two Nu-Star Pushers for moving 2000kg - 3000kg conveyors through their conveyor assembly process.

The purchase of the Super Pusher was necessary owing to the screen boxes' heavier weight..

* Using pushers instead of cranes - the Nu-Star Pusher and Super Pusher combined with carrier bogies are a safe and efficient means of moving major components through sub and final assembly processes.

They require less floor space than fork lift trucks, and are more flexible than cranes.

Nu-Star's managing director, Matthew Smith, said: "We are delighted that such a prestigious company as Powerscreen have identified the proven benefits of our zero emission, electric tugs and been able to realise such tangible benefits in their Lean Manufacturing processes in Dungannon.

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